COVID-19: Ogun CJ Sets 249 Prisoners Free

ABEOKUTA: Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, has ordered the immediate release of 249 prisoners from five Correctional Centres across the state, in an attempt to decongest the facility and avert the prisoners from being contacted the Coronavirus.

Dipeolu said that the release of the inmates was based on the federal government’s decision to decongest the Correctional Centres in a bid to contain the spread of Covid-19, noting that those released were men and women with cases ranging from stealing, burglary, assault to bodily harm and other minor cases.

She said the congestion would improve social distancing measures, thereby reducing the spread of the virus at the Correctional Centres, urging the released inmates to go back to the society and be useful for the entire nation and refrain from sinful acts.

Justice Dipeolu however, said that the release was imperative, so as not to allow the Covid-19 contact the inmates, noting that those being considered were those having little years to complete their jail terms, old ages, those that have not meet up with fines, those that have spent 50 percent of their jail terms and those on medical related matters.

She said that some inmates awaiting trial ought not to remain in custody where matters for which they were charged for was not murder or armed robbery were also considered, adding that where it was discovered that the prosecution of the cases were moving at slow pace or not heard at all for one reason or the other were also pardoned.

The Chief Judge said that 48 inmates were freed in Ijebu-Ode, 41 in Sagamu, 7 in Ago Farm Settlement, near Ijebu-Ode, 54 were released in Ibara, 32 in New Oba Prison, while 67 inmates were released at Ilaro Correctional Centres, respectively.

While addressing Journalists, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Akingbolahan Adeniran said that the federal government had so far released 2,600 inmates in various prisons across the country to curb the spread of coronavirus.

He added that with the federal government directive, which Governor Dapo Abiodun in his averred determination to decongest the Correctional Centres has granted unconditional pardon and clemency to 249 convicts serving various terms in the Correctional Centres across the state.

Adeniran said “the governor did this in line with federal government directive to decongest the prisons following the outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus disease which currently ravaging the entire world, so that it won’t escalate in the country”.

He further stated that the idea of social distancing which was being preached in the country, as well as in the state may not be attained if the Correctional Centres in the state were not decongested.

“You see, the social distancing will not be attained because of the way the inmates are arranged at these Correctional Centres, and I urged the convicts so pardoned to be accepted by their relatives, villages and families”, Adeniran said.